Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

Chapter 155 Black Serpent Knight

The dim light came from a few torches, and there was a small water jar on the ground, but there was no sign of human habitation.

Scattered fruit, some arrows, and even a mask left behind...

Paimon: "There are some traces of Hilichurls living here. Could they be the Hilichurls involved in the quest?"

Dain: "A commission? Come to think of it, you still haven't told me... why you're here. There's no reason for ordinary travelers to venture into the depths of the Abyss of Layered Rocks."

"We are because..."

"We were commissioned by the Adventurers' Guild to investigate the unusual gathering of Hilichurls in the Layered Rock Abyss," Kong quickly interjected, cutting to Paimon's words.

Dain is a Kanriyan, so he must harbor some resentment towards the "gods." It's best not to mention Qingyue and the others' affairs.

"..." (It seems there's some hidden story, which is good.)

Din's lack of further questions relieved Kong.

He glanced at the torches and the still basin of water, and spoke again calmly: "You want an answer?"

Paimon: "Does Dain know anything?"

“I just happen to know.” His tone carried a hint of resentment and self-deprecation. “It’s understandable that you can’t detect anything unusual. The strange thing about this place is that… the environment is weakening the effects of the ‘curse.’”

Paimon: "A curse! I remember saying before that Dain, as a citizen of Kanria, is cursed with immortality or something..."

"For hundreds of years, the pain brought by the curse has continued to torment me every day. But coming here, my body has been able to catch its breath for a moment."

"At this very moment, my body is also expressing a strong desire to me—'Stay.'"

“Weakening the curse…” Kong lowered his head in thought, and Paimon was also somewhat confused.

Paimon: "So Dain means..."

Do you know why Hilichurls wear masks?

Sora and Paimon exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

"Because they are all avoiding their current appearance, afraid of their reflection in the water...after all, compared to themselves in their memories, it is too ugly and too hopeless."

Dain unconsciously touched his mask, just as he said, no one understood the curse that this "curse" carried better than him.

So, Hilichurls really are all... former Kanriyans.

"The curse of immortality is actually... not truly permanent 'immortality'."

Paimon: "Hey, is there still a chance to turn things around?"

No. Rather, under the influence of "wear and tear," the soul and body will still be worn away, even if not in the form of "death."

"When those Hilichurls realize that their end is coming, they seem to instinctively seek out a quiet, dark corner to say goodbye to centuries of suffering."

"And this place, which can weaken the effects of the curse, must be the best coffin for them."

Even though Dain showed no expression, Kong could still sense the sadness in her.

"Wearing away" is the limit of lifespan for living beings, and no one can avoid it, not even gods...

Even Zhongli... wait, I remember Qingyue said he was an exception, so what's his situation?

"Enough with the chit-chat, be on alert!" Dain interrupted Kongdu's thoughts, already in a state of combat readiness.

"What, what's wrong!"

"Enemy attack! Paimon, hide quickly!" Kong also drew his bladeless sword, wary of the black-armored warriors who had surrounded them.

Paimon immediately found a rock to use as cover.

Each of them was clad in armor and wielded a spear, charging forward like a group of well-trained soldiers. They were uttering indistinct sounds.

Dain: "Are you okay?"

"Don't underestimate me."

Kong first swung his sword to block the spear rushing towards him, then immediately retreated to the side of a rock, using the propulsion to jump into the air and use the force of the fall to knock down the enemy.

Dain, on the contrary, remained remarkably composed, easily deflecting the attacks and even moving effortlessly among the knights. Their attacks didn't even touch the hem of his clothing.

As for the enemies, they were all instantly dealt with and fell to the ground as soon as they approached him. Not to mention Kong, even Paimon, who was watching from behind the rock, didn't know when he made his move; it was just too fast.

"Don't get distracted, there are still quite a few enemies." Dain noticed the gaze that was fixed on him and reminded him.

"half each."

"Hmph, let's see how strong you are."

The two men got into a competitive frenzy, each fighting more fiercely than the other, and soon they had defeated all their enemies, leaving none alive.

After the battle ended, the two simultaneously sheathed their weapons.

"Hoo~, what are all these things?" Clearly, Sora was asking Dain, since Dain was more familiar with the things in the Abyss than Sora himself.

"The Black Serpent Knights were once part of the Kanria Palace Guard."

Paimon: "Wait! The palace guards...were they your subordinates before!?"

Dain: "They used to be. But now, the intense aura of curse emanating from them, and the fighting style that has abandoned all honor..."

"...Have they already become minions of the abyss?" Paimon's tone was full of regret.

Dain: "Let's go ahead." (No time for sadness.)

At that moment, a black serpent knight clad in heavy blue armor stood atop the ruins, looking down at them... no, he was staring at Dain.

“Ah, Dain…” Paimon called out, prompting him to turn around and meet the figure in his eyes.

Soon, the black snake knight did nothing but quietly leave.

Dain: "Did I miss one...?"

"That black snake knight just now! Did he have something to say?"

Pamond's conjecture made Dain ponder: (How could this be... how could she have maintained her self-awareness for five hundred years without "that thing"...?)

(And there's also that strangely familiar feeling...)

Compared to his confusion and bewilderment, Sora's thoughts were simple: "Perhaps he recognized you."

"No, such a miracle should not have occurred in such a desperate catastrophe... Let's just consider it a coincidence."

"Let's keep moving forward."

At this moment, in the rainforest—

"Hmm? Hello, how can I help you?"

A forest ranger ran up to the boy who was holding a map and looked completely bewildered, and asked him a question.

"Ah...excuse me, how do I get to Daocheng Forest? I've been wandering around this area for ages, and I've looked at the map for a while but I still don't know where this place is."

The boy had an apologetic smile and looked quite young, which made the older forest rangers feel a sense of goodwill towards him.

"Haha, kid, it's lucky you met us. Just keep going up and you'll reach Daocheng Forest. Come on, tell me, did you come alone?"

"Yes, I'm going to Daocheng Forest to find someone."

"Oh? Child, who are you looking for?" A female forest ranger walked over, bent down, and patiently asked, "Tell me, and I'll take you to find them."

“Tinari. His name is Tinari!”